Craig Borland

Caledonian MacBrayne has been urged to reach a ticket-sharing agreement with Western Ferries for Bute travellers affected by the closure of Wemyss Bay pier for major repairs.

The call has been made by island councillor Robert Macintyre, who wants to see travellers - particularly vehicle drivers - given an alternative option for getting to and from Bute while the Rothesay ferry service is diverted to Gourock for four months from February 2015.

“The total capacity on the Rothesay route will be substantially reduced during the diversion,” Cllr Macintyre said, “and I can foresee chaos at busy weekends.”